C18 Exclusive Mecha Upgrade

Over the next few days, the members of Battalion Three Class Ten were hesitant to venture out of their dormitory, having inexplicably become the target of animosity from the entire battalion. Tang Hao paid them little attention. Bored out of their minds, they would sneak off to the warehouse. This routine persisted until a slight improvement came about three days later.

The class began to voice their grievances, criticizing Zhuge Yao for being an inadequate leader, as they faced hostility wherever they went. What could Zhong Yao say in response? He knew that what should have been a straightforward matter had somehow soured when it involved them.

Zhuge Yao was inwardly struggling, realizing that so much valuable time had been squandered tinkering with parts in the warehouse. He wanted to go out to the field for a run, but others would form a human wall to block him, even going so far as to say, "Zhuge Yao and dogs are not allowed to pass." And if he didn't run, surely piloting a Mecha for a leisurely stroll would be acceptable, right? Wrong. Others would still confront him with their Mechas, their tempers flaring up at the slightest provocation, ready to explode like firecrackers.

"Now for an announcement: Battalion Three Class Ten's new recruits have been recognized for their successful Devil Beast hunt a few nights ago. After deliberation, the Tank has decided to award them a collective third-class merit. This announcement serves as an encouragement," the Tank's broadcast echoed throughout the camp just before the morning meal.

Upon hearing this news, the new recruits from the Recruit Company gained a new perspective on Battalion Three Class Ten. Their previous hostility, which had arrived swiftly, dissipated just as quickly, now balanced by the recognition of merit.

Some even began to envy Zhuge Yao and his peers. Lee Xinru was among them; despite years of service, she had yet to earn any commendations. Naturally, there were those who harbored jealousy, like Gongsun Ce and Liu Mei, who had schemed and plotted only to see their efforts benefit others.

"Yay, this is fantastic! We're the top class," Xia Yan exclaimed with excitement, leaping from his bed to embrace Zhuge Yao enthusiastically.

The rest of the group shared in the joy, laughing heartily and instantly dispelling the gloom that had hung over them for the past few days.

"Vroom!" The rumble of a heavy vehicle drew closer.

"Beep!" The military camp's assembly signal sounded at that moment.

Upon hearing the whistle, Zhuge Yao quickly grabbed his hat and dashed toward the field. He wasn't sure what was happening, but he had a hunch it was something positive—his left eyelid was twitching, after all.

The recruits from Battalion Three hurried over at the sound of the whistle as well. Over a dozen heavy trucks were stationed on the field, hauling long containers draped with canvas. The recruits eyed the cargo being unloaded and began to murmur among themselves, speculating about its contents.

Once the entire battalion had assembled, Regiment Commander Lee Feng and Battalion Commander Liu Jianfeng emerged from their office, both beaming. Without much preamble, they instructed someone to open the side of a container, unveiling rows of brand-new Mechas.

"Wow!" the recruits gasped in awe, their eyes wide with excitement. They were all eager to get a closer look and touch the machines.

Their wishes were soon granted. The commander raised his voice and addressed the recruits, "In recognition of the exceptional performance by the recruits of Company Three, Class Three, and Class Ten in the Mecha Competition, each member will receive an Assault No.67 Mecha. The other classes need not feel disheartened; each of you will also receive an Assault No.66 Mecha. You are the pride of the Empire, and I hope you will double your efforts in training."

Applause erupted across the field, and Zhuge Yao, swept up in the moment, joined in the clapping. Having one's own Exclusive Mecha was an incredible honor; such a privilege was typically reserved for members of the Dragon Knight Army within the vast Empire.

Those who managed to enlist in this army were the cream of the crop from various sectors of the Empire, boasting solid educational backgrounds. Zhuge Yao had chosen to serve here not only because of the esteemed culture but also for the unparalleled benefits. Following Tang Hao to the front of the heavy truck, Zhuge Yao could no longer contain his excitement. He was the first to climb into the cockpit of a Mecha.

The Assault No.67 was the Empire Army's standard issue Mecha, yet it surpassed the Assault No.66 by a notch. Unarmed, it boasted a hundred units of strength, a hundred and fifty units of speed, and a hundred units of armor. It had a decisive edge over any Devil Beast below level two and was coveted by soldiers of the Empire Army.

After acquiring his Exclusive Mecha, Zhuge Yao made a beeline for the warehouse to upgrade it. He had refrained from training in the past few days, which gave him time to amass a considerable number of parts. Now, he was ready to put them to use.

This Mecha would be his companion for a significant period. With the Dusk Empire poised to invade the Dawn Empire in three months, he needed to be ready. While he couldn't prevent the invasion, he was determined to offer his strength in defense of his homeland, to prevent the tragedies of his past life from recurring.

Upon reaching the warehouse, Zhuge Yao found it deserted, even more so than usual. The solitude was preferable; the Mecha's upgrade involved cutting-edge technology that wasn't ready to be disclosed to others.

The Assault No.67 came with standard gear: a shoulder-mounted heavy cannon, a Laser Gun, a Tower Shield, and a portable Magnetic Oscillation Blade. The standard equipment included the Glory 3000 battle system, an electromagnetic shield, dual Rocket Propellers, and a liquid metal repair kit.

Such armament wouldn't stand a chance against the initial onslaught of the Devil Beast Tide. He started by removing the heavy cannon to lighten the load, with the Machine Arm facilitating the task. The cumbersome Tower Shield was next, swapped out for a more manageable arm shield, significantly reducing the Mecha's weight and boosting its speed to 200.

The portable Magnetic Oscillation Blade lacked sufficient attack power, so he replaced it with the more robust Magnetic Oscillation Sword. The firepower of the Laser Gun was also inadequate, prompting an upgrade to a more powerful Laser Gun. These modifications allowed for an immediate surge in Combat Strength Value to 500, enhancing the Mecha's assault capabilities.

While the engine was irreplaceable, the control system was not. He had a replacement in the Small Yellow Man's storage space but needed a superior chip. After fortifying several crucial components of the Mecha, he ceased his work.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, a full day's effort culminated in the completion of the first phase of the Exclusive Mecha's upgrade. The next step was to christen the Mecha. After some thought, he settled on the name from his previous life, Dragon Abyss, symbolizing the sharpness of a treasured sword. He then took the dye spray and emblazoned the name Dragon Abyss across the Mecha's left chest.

"Young Master Yao, a beautiful woman from outside has come looking for you. She's waiting at the camp headquarters. You should hurry over and see her," Qiu Heizi burst in, his excitement palpable as if the visitor had come for him.

Zhuge Yao didn't need the reminder; he already suspected it was Huang Wenwen. Indeed, it had been a while since they last saw each other, and he found himself missing her presence. When they were together, arguments were inevitable, but now that their meetings were less frequent, he felt a keen sense of absence. Setting aside his tools, he straightened his clothes before making his way to the camp headquarters.

As Zhuge Yao departed, Qiu Heizi was tempted to tag along for the spectacle. However, his attention was captured by the sight of the Dragon Abyss Mecha. The design was so extraordinary, unlike anything he'd seen before. He was quite taken with the style and began to contemplate upgrades for his own mecha.